Latest news with #Rwanda
Reuters
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Exclusive: UN says scores of farmers killed in Congo, endangering Trump's peace
PARIS, July 31 (Reuters) - An M23 rebel attack on farmers and other civilians in east Democratic Republic of Congo killed 169 people earlier this month, a U.N. body told Reuters, in what would be one of the deadliest incidents since the Rwanda-backed group's resurgence. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa told Reuters it would investigate but the report could be a "smear campaign". The U.N. rights body's account has not been previously reported and emerged as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration pushes for peace between Congo and Rwanda that it hopes will unlock billions in mineral investments. Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the killings but a local activist cited witnesses as describing M23 combatants using guns and machetes to kill scores of civilians. The M23 and Congolese government have pledged to work towards peace by August 18 after the rebels this year seized more territory than ever before in fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more. According to findings by the U.N. Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), which monitors Congo, the M23 operation that led to the farmers' killings began on July 9 in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu province. It targeted suspected members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Congo-based group that includes remnants of Rwanda's former army and militias that carried out the 1994 Rwandan genocide, UNJHRO said. 'Civilians, mainly farmers temporarily camping in their fields for the ploughing season, have been attacked. The human toll has been particularly high: at least 169 people have been killed,' UNJHRO said in findings shared by Reuters. The victims were 'far from any immediate support or protection,' UNJHRO said, citing credible information from several independent sources. In response, M23's Bisimwa said the group had been notified about UNJHRO's findings in a letter and would form a commission to investigate the unconfirmed accusations. "We believe that before imposing sanctions, the facts must first be established by verifying their actual existence through an investigation," he said. "This rush to publish unverified information is propaganda whose purpose is known only to the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office," he said, adding that the allegations could be part of a "smear campaign" by Congolese employees of UNJHRO. UNJHRO is made up of the human rights division of Congo's U.N. peacekeeping mission and the former office of the U.N. high commissioner for human rights in Congo. It has both Congolese and foreign staff members. The activist in Rutshuru, who did not want to be named for safety reasons, told Reuters the M23 combatants killed more than 100 civilians, mostly Congolese Hutu farmers. The victims had initially fled when M23 advanced on the territory, but they returned after M23 promised them safety, the activist said. U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said last month that M23, Congo's army and allied militias had all committed abuses in eastern Congo, many of which may amount to war crimes. Rwanda has long denied helping M23 and says its forces act in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, including the FDLR. A report by a group of United Nations experts published this month said Rwanda exercised command and control over M23 and was backing the group in order to conquer territory in east Congo. A government spokesperson said at the time that the report misrepresented Rwanda's security worries related to the FDLR and affiliated groups. The spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, did not respond to a request for comment about UNJHRO's findings. Persistent violence in eastern Congo threatens Trump's vision for the region, which has been plagued by war for decades and is rich in minerals including gold, cobalt, coltan, tungsten and tin. A peace agreement signed on June 27 in Washington by the Congolese and Rwandan foreign ministers requires Congo to "neutralise" the FDLR as Rwanda withdraws from Congolese territory. Both the Congolese operations against the FDLR and the Rwandan withdrawal were supposed to have started on Sunday, though it is unclear what progress has been made. They have three months to conclude. Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya told Reuters the killings in Rutshuru demonstrate that M23 is a destabilising force incapable of bringing security. Kinshasa wants a peace deal that will allow for the restoration of its authority in the region, Muyaya said.
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
UAE-led AI pact aims to narrow digital divide in Global South
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence adoption in the Global South is set to accelerate under a new UAE-led partnership with Malaysia and Rwanda aimed at expanding ethical AI use and knowledge sharing. The agreement, signed under the World Economic Forum's Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution global network, builds on an initiative launched by the UAE and Rwanda at the 2024 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, according to a press release. The partnership comes amid rising global concern that emerging technologies could exacerbate inequality. The UN estimates the AI market will reach $4.8 trillion by 2033, warning that without inclusive frameworks, the Global South risks being left behind. Gobind Singh Deo, minister of digital in Malaysia, said his country 'is proud to join forces with the UAE and Rwanda in this visionary initiative to bridge global AI expertise and accelerate digital transformation for a more inclusive and sustainable future.' He added: 'This partnership involving Malaysia Center4IR, C4IR UAE, and C4IR Rwanda reflects our collective goal for a future that is driven by responsible AI innovation.' Singh Deo expressed hope that the C4IR Network AI Fellowship Program, developed through the collaboration, would act as a crucial bridge connecting AI leaders and experts across continents. 'By sharing knowledge, exchanging talent, and co-creating solutions, we aim to address the critical challenges and harness the immense potential of AI for the benefit of not only our nations, but the wider global community,' he added. The memorandum of understanding was witnessed by UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Al-Olama and Malaysia's Singh Deo. It aims to deepen South-South collaboration on technology policy, research, and skills development. With Malaysia now joining, the expanded C4IR AI Fellowship Program will support talent exchange, joint innovation, and responsible governance frameworks led by Global South countries. 'This expanded partnership will help the Global South to unlock greater value from AI and Fourth Industrial Revolution applications,' said Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation. 'Guided by our leadership, the UAE is committed to building and strengthening global collaboration to achieve inclusive, sustainable development through technology and knowledge sharing,' he added. Crystal Rugege, managing director of the Rwanda Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, noted that the strategic partnership complemented Rwanda's flagship initiatives, including the AI Innovation Lab and the Global AI Summit on Africa, thereby enhancing efforts to promote cutting-edge research, knowledge transfer, and capacity building. 'By strengthening responsible AI governance and accelerating practical AI adoption, we are committed to empowering Rwanda, our partner countries, and the global AI ecosystem to fully leverage AI for sustainable and inclusive development,' she added. The Global Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network brings together public and private sector partners to harness emerging technologies while managing their risks. It promotes the responsible use of these technologies through a global network of independent centers.
Zawya
17 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
UAE, Malaysia, Rwanda seek to boost AI adoption in Global South
Dubai: The UAE, Malaysia, and Rwanda signed a strategic partnership to strengthen coordination to help boost AI adoption in the Global South. Within the framework of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) global network, the countries will work together to promote ethics and governance in AI to help societies and economies in the Global South harness its potential. Through a signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the countries agreed to expand the scope of the C4IR AI Fellowship Program, which was initially signed by the UAE and Rwanda at the 2024 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos. The knowledge exchange platform was created to connect leaders, innovators, and experts in the AI space. Now, with the addition of Malaysia, the expanded partnership will promote further international cooperation to support sustainable development through AI. The initiative will enable talent exchange, joint initiatives, and coordinated development of responsible AI governance frameworks led by Global South nations. The new agreement was witnessed by His Excellency Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications and His Excellency Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital in Malaysia. His Excellency Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital in Malaysia, said: "Malaysia is proud to join forces with the UAE and Rwanda in this visionary initiative to bridge global AI expertise and accelerate digital transformation for a more inclusive and sustainable future. This partnership involving Malaysia Centre4IR, C4IR UAE, and C4IR Rwanda reflects our collective goal for a future that is driven by responsible AI innovation.' Singh Deo, added: 'We hope that the C4IR Network AI Fellowship Program, resulting from this collaboration, will serve as a vital bridge, connecting AI leaders and experts across continents. By sharing knowledge, exchanging talent, and co-creating solutions, we aim to address the critical challenges and harness the immense potential of AI for the benefit of not only our nations, but the wider global community.' Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF, said: 'This expanded partnership will help the Global South to unlock greater value from AI and Fourth Industrial Revolution applications. Guided by our leadership, the UAE is committed to building and strengthening global collaboration to achieve inclusive, sustainable development through technology and knowledge sharing.' Aytug Goksu, Head of Network and Government Affairs at C4IR Network and Partner Engagement at World Economic Forum said: 'The signing of this MoU marks a significant milestone in our shared journey to harness the transformative power of AI. By bringing together the shared expertise and vision of the Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the UAE, Rwanda, and Malaysia, we are connecting a global community of AI practitioners committed to advancing inclusive and sustainable progress.' Crystal Rugege, Managing Director of the Rwanda Centre for the 4th Industrial Revolution, said: 'We are delighted to deepen our engagement within the global C4IR network through the expansion of the AI Fellowship Program. This strategic partnership complements our flagship initiatives, including the AI Innovation Lab and the Global AI Summit on Africa, enhancing our collective ability to foster cutting-edge research, knowledge transfer, and capacity building. By strengthening responsible AI governance and accelerating practical AI adoption, we are committed to empowering Rwanda, our partner countries, and the global AI ecosystem to fully leverage AI for sustainable and inclusive development.' The UAE Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (UAE C4IR), overseen by DFF and launched in April 2019 in a partnership between the UAE Government and WEF, plays a key role in facilitating collaboration and exchange. Over the past six years, the centre has forged several impactful partnerships and initiatives. The Global Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network is a platform for multistakeholder collaboration, bringing together public and private sectors to maximize technological benefits to society while minimizing the risks. It explores exponential technologies and drives their responsible adoption and application, leveraging a global network of independent national and thematic centres.
Reuters
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Exclusive: UN says Congo rebels killed scores of farmers, M23 suggests 'smear'
PARIS, July 31 (Reuters) - An M23 rebel attack on farmers and other civilians in east Democratic Republic of Congo killed 169 people earlier this month, a U.N. body told Reuters, in what would be one of the deadliest incidents since the Rwanda-backed group's resurgence. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa told Reuters it would investigate but the report could be a "smear campaign". The U.N. rights body's account has not been previously reported and emerged as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration pushes for peace between Congo and Rwanda that it hopes will unlock billions in mineral investments. Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the killings but a local activist cited witnesses as describing M23 combatants using guns and machetes to kill scores of civilians. The M23 and Congolese government have pledged to work towards peace by August 18 after the rebels this year seized more territory than ever before in fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more. According to findings by the U.N. Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), which monitors Congo, the M23 operation that led to the farmers' killings began on July 9 in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu province. It targeted suspected members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Congo-based group that includes remnants of Rwanda's former army and militias that carried out the 1994 Rwandan genocide, UNJHRO said. 'Civilians, mainly farmers temporarily camping in their fields for the ploughing season, have been attacked. The human toll has been particularly high: at least 169 people have been killed,' UNJHRO said in findings shared by Reuters. The victims were 'far from any immediate support or protection,' UNJHRO said, citing credible information from several independent sources. In response, M23's Bisimwa said the group had been notified about UNJHRO's findings in a letter and would form a commission to investigate the unconfirmed accusations. "We believe that before imposing sanctions, the facts must first be established by verifying their actual existence through an investigation," he said. "This rush to publish unverified information is propaganda whose purpose is known only to the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office," he said, adding that the allegations could be part of a "smear campaign" by Congolese employees of UNJHRO. UNJHRO is made up of the human rights division of Congo's U.N. peacekeeping mission and the former office of the U.N. high commissioner for human rights in Congo. It has both Congolese and foreign staff members. The activist in Rutshuru, who did not want to be named for safety reasons, told Reuters the M23 combatants killed more than 100 civilians, mostly Congolese Hutu farmers. The victims had initially fled when M23 advanced on the territory, but they returned after M23 promised them safety, the activist said. U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said last month that M23, Congo's army and allied militias had all committed abuses in eastern Congo, many of which may amount to war crimes. Rwanda has long denied helping M23 and says its forces act in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, including the FDLR. A report by a group of United Nations experts published this month said Rwanda exercised command and control over M23 and was backing the group in order to conquer territory in east Congo. A government spokesperson said at the time that the report misrepresented Rwanda's security worries related to the FDLR and affiliated groups. The spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, did not respond to a request for comment about UNJHRO's findings. Persistent violence in eastern Congo threatens Trump's vision for the region, which has been plagued by war for decades and is rich in minerals including gold, cobalt, coltan, tungsten and tin. A peace agreement signed on June 27 in Washington by the Congolese and Rwandan foreign ministers requires Congo to "neutralise" the FDLR as Rwanda withdraws from Congolese territory. Both the Congolese operations against the FDLR and the Rwandan withdrawal were supposed to have started on Sunday, though it is unclear what progress has been made. They have three months to conclude. Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya told Reuters the killings in Rutshuru demonstrate that M23 is a destabilising force incapable of bringing security. Kinshasa wants a peace deal that will allow for the restoration of its authority in the region, Muyaya said.
E&E News
21 hours ago
- Business
- E&E News
Trump officials to brief senators on African minerals
Senate lawmakers will question State Department officials this week about the Trump administration's strategy in Africa for securing resources from mineral-rich countries like the Congo and Rwanda. Jonathan Pratt, who's leading the Bureau of African Affairs, and Scott Woodard, acting deputy assistant secretary for economic growth, energy and environment, will appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy. The hearing arrives on the heels of President Donald Trump inking a deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda to quell conflict in the region and allow the U.S. more access to cobalt and lithium deposits. Advertisement Shortly after the agreement was announced in June, KoBold Metals, a company backed by billionaire Bill Gates, finalized a deal to buy a massive lithium project in the DRC.
